Golden Globe snubs: Robert De Niro, ‘Cats’ and every female director

As “Marriage Story” made a big move toward Oscar glory, leading the Golden Globe Awards field with six nominations, who got left in the cold? These are the most notable snubs in the 2020 Golden Globes nominations.

‘Cats’

The Tom Hooper-directed feline musical, which hits theaters Dec. 20 , is the kind of star-packed project that the HFPA loves. But the film has been under wraps as it approaches its release date, and the voting group, which historically loves musicals, only recently was able to screen an unfinished version. The late viewing may have hurt its chances, though Taylor Swift and Andrew Lloyd Webber were nominated for their new song, “Beautiful Ghosts.”

‘Ford v Ferrari’

This epic car drama ran out of gas when it hit the HFPA. And even though the Globes splits categories between drama and musical/comedy, a tight lead actor race looks to have hurt Matt Damon this year, no matter his golden performance as car designer Carroll Shelby in the racing film. Damon was previously nominated seven times at the Globes, winning best actor in 2016 for “The Martian” and best screenplay in 1998 for “Good Will Hunting.” But co-star Christian Bale did come away a nominee.

Greta Gerwig, ‘Little Women’

It’s pretty shocking that Gerwig was left off the Globes’ favorite directors list, given the response in Hollywood to her adaptation of “Little Women,” which she also wrote. The film also surprised by not making best drama. Many are predicting justice for Gerwig at the Oscars this year, particularly after her first nominations for directing and writing with 2017’s “Lady Bird.”

All female directors

It wasn’t just Gerwig who was egregiously passed over. Lulu Wang, who directed the “Farewell,” was passed over by the Globes voting body, as was Marielle Heller (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”) and Lorene Scafaria “Hustlers.” These movies didn’t direct themselves, and it’s notable that the HFPA has nominated women in the category just seven times in its 75-year history.

Robert De Niro, ‘The Irishman’

De Niro is the central figure of “The Irishman,” which cleaned up with Globes nominations for best motion picture/drama, a best director nod for Martin Scorsese and supporting acting nods for Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. But the actor was ignored in the best actor in a drama category.

Adam Sandler, ‘Uncut Gems’

Sandler has been wowing with his tense drama — and has been working the rooms lately. So it was a surprise to see him also left off the list of best actor/drama nominations, even in a competitive year. (It may have hurt him that the film was entered as a musical/comedy, but was deemed a drama by the Globes’ voting body.)

‘Hustlers’

J. Lo is an undeniable force this awards season, and everyone expected her best supporting actress nod Monday. But seeing “Hustlers” absent from film nominations is surprising, especially as it was entered in the musical/comedy category.

Lupita Nyong’o

Listen, Nyong’o played not one, but two parts in Jordan Peele’s latest nail-biting horror film, “Us.” And no nomination? For shame.

Sandra Oh, ‘Killing Eve’

After winning the best actress in a TV drama award at last year’s Globes (and co-hosting the affair with Andy Samberg), Oh didn’t garner a nomination for the second season of “Eve.” Oh’s co-star Jodie Comer, who won this award at the Emmys in September, was included in the category, which featured both Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon for Apple TV+’s divisive “Morning Show.”

‘When They See Us’

Ava DuVernay’s acclaimed miniseries about the exonerated “Central Park Five” received numerous Emmy nominations this year, walking away with two trophies, including best actor in a miniseries or TV movie for Jharrel Jerome. But “When They See Us” was left off the Globes list, made all the more conspicuous in a year with little diversity among the nominees.

‘Watchmen’

HBO’s modern take on the classic comic book story has been adored by critics and has garnered awards buzz as its nine-episode season has unfolded, but the HFPA seems to have missed it. No love for the series, or big-name stars Regina King (a Globe winner last year for “If Beale Street Could Talk”), Jean Smart or Jeremy Irons.

Meryl Streep, Timothee Chalamet and Florence Pugh, ‘Little Women’

Oscar favorite Chalamet was shut out of the best supporting actor category, which this year focused on older prestige stars: Tom Hanks for “A Beautiful Day,” Anthony Hopkins for “The Two Popes,” Al Pacino and Joe Pesci for “The Irishman” and Brad Pitt for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” And while Pugh gives new life and verve to Amy March (long the most-judged sister of the March clan), her newcomer status may have cost her a nod. In fact, Saoirse Ronan received the sole acting nomination for “Little Women” for her feisty portrayal of Jo March, which means Meryl Streep, who plays a delightfully crotchety Aunt March, was snubbed, too.